How to “Phish” Your Own Family
(and Why It Could Save Your Kid’s Identity)
Would your child click a link that says “Free Robux”? Find out before a hacker does.
It starts with something innocent — a “free game,” a “rare skin,” a “bonus gift card.”
One click later, the screen locks, the account’s drained, and your child is in tears.
Sound dramatic? It isn’t. It’s Tuesday on the internet.
But here’s the truth: your kids aren’t careless. They’re curious.
They just haven’t learned the reflex to pause before they click.
So here’s a radical idea: phish your family before the hackers do.
Why This Works
(and Why It’s More Fun Than It Sounds)
Forget lectures about “online safety.” Kids don’t learn from fear — they learn from play.
Simulated phishing turns awareness into a game — one that teaches without preaching.
Here’s why it works:
It turns theory into reality. A fake email feels real enough to matter.
It builds muscle memory. Like fire drills, repetition trains instinct.
It opens conversation. “That looked real — what gave it away?” beats “Why’d you click that?” any day.
Parent decoder moment:
If your child hovers over links, types in info quickly, or says “everyone clicks this,” that’s not defiance — it’s human nature. Your job isn’t to scold; it’s to decode and coach.
The Weekend “Phish Drill”
Make your living room the safest classroom in the world.
Step 1: Craft a fake email. Pretend to be Netflix, Roblox, or a favorite store: “Claim your free 500 Robux today!”
Step 2: Send it to your child. Keep it realistic, not ridiculous.
Step 3: Watch what happens. Do they pause? Ask questions? Click instantly?
Step 4: Debrief together. Talk through what looked suspicious and what didn’t.
Step 5: Make it fun. Give points for spotting scams, checking links, or asking first. Reward with something small — snacks, stickers, extra screen time.
BONUS: Let your kids design the next fake email. You’ll be shocked how convincing they get.
Real story, based on real incidents:
Dozens of kids have lost their Roblox accounts after clicking what looked like a “free Robux” link from a friend. In one BBC-reported case, a 13-year-old girl in the UK watched her account vanish in minutes — drained by scammers posing as game pals.If she’d done a family “phish drill,” she might’ve paused first.
The Parent Playbook
You don’t need to be techy — just intentional.
Normalize skepticism. Teach “Stop. Think. Verify.” — like looking both ways online.
Use two channels. Verify messages through another source (text, parent, official app).
Make it personal. Connect the dots: stolen passwords don’t just hurt “companies,” they hurt them. Celebrate curiosity. Reward questions and catches.
Keep it light. Fear shuts kids down; humor opens them up.
REMEMBER: Hackers prey on excitement and trust. You’re teaching calm and verification — life skills that outlast the apps.
Kitchen-Table Questions
Sprinkle these into car rides, dinner, or bedtime chats. No lectures — just reflection.
Ask your kids:
“If a website says you’ve won something, what’s your first move?”
“How would you check if a link is real?”
Ask yourself:
“Would I catch a fake email in their inbox?”
The goal isn’t paranoia — it’s partnership.
Parent Tool of the Week: The “Phish File”
Keep a shared folder or notes app called The Phish File.
Save screenshots of sketchy texts, fake giveaways, or scam emails your family finds.
Review them monthly — like digital fire drills.
Your kids will start catching scams before they reach you.
Ever After Lesson
(No Homework)
Hackers don’t need code — they just need curiosity.
Simulated phishing helps your kids build the pause reflex before predators ever arrive.
The result?
Less panic, more confidence.
More laughter, fewer lessons learned the hard way.
Curiosity built the internet.
Pausing keeps your kids safe on it.
